Jaipur women follow the trend #strongisthenewskinny; focus on becoming strong

If you go by social media posts and blogs of female fitness enthusiasts across the globe, strong is indeed the new skinny. And in Jaipur, women are proving the trend right – it’s not size zero or a skinny figure that they are aspiring for but city’s fitness conscious women are rather focusing on becoming “strong”, literally.
A visit to city’s gyms further establishes this point.It’s no longer rare to see women lifting weights and latching onto the barbell as resistance training is becoming popular among city’s women, like never before. Women can be seen doing squats holding weights, push-ups and many other exercises that increase their endurance and make them strong.

Ajay Singh,a city-based fitness coach, says, “There was a time when women were striving to be size zero or fit the unrealistic beauty standards that they used to see in movies, magazines and on the runways. Instead of aiming to be fit and strong, their goal was to be skinny and for that, they were even ready to put their health at risk. On top of it, they just wanted to stick to cardio and basic exercises as they had a fear that lifting weights would make them bulky.Thankfully,this has changed now. A lot of women are now opting for resistance/strength training to increase their stamina which includes rigorous exercises,including lifting weights.Not only does strength training make women stronger,it has a ton of other health benefits too. It helps in burning more calories and the result is more lean body mass. That’s something one can’t achieve by just doing cardio.”
‘I NOT ONLY FEEL STRONG BUT ALSO CONFIDENT NOW’
Sudeepta Saha working out (Pankaj Sharma/BCCL)
Sudeepta Saha, an RJ by profession, joined the gym to shed the few extra kilos she had gained. But being skinny has never been on her mind. Around a year ago, Sudeepta got into strength training and she says she can give anyone a good run for their money when it comes to doing rigorous exercises. “I have never understood the concept of being skinny.I have a muscular body and I am proud of it. When I started exercising, my goal was just to shed the extra kilos that I had gained. But the moment I got to know about strength training, there has been no looking back for me,” Sudeepta says.
Sudeepta further adds, “I have participated in various championships including bodybuilding contests, which I don’t think would have been possible had I opted to exercise to be skinny. I not only feel strong but also confident now. Whether it’s moving furniture or carrying my luggage, or in worst case scenario, protecting myself against attackers, I can do it all. I don’t have to rely on anybody now.”
'MANY WOMEN AT MY GYM OFTEN SAY, ‘TUM TOH ITNI FIT LAGTI HO, TUMKO EXERCISE KI KYA ZAROORAT HAI?’
Alfisa Khan, a mass communication student at a Jaipurbased private university has been exercising at a city gym for past four months.“As far as my body weight is concerned, there is no problem. My weight is just fine. But I joined gym primarily to increase my endurance level. For me, being strong is more important than just merely having an attractive body,” she says, adding, “But I think there is a misconception among a lot of people that women join gym to only lose weight.I remember that when I had initially joined the gym, women would often come to me and say, ‘Tum toh itni fit lagti ho. Tumko exercise ki kya zaroorat hai?’ What they don’t know is that I might look lean from the outside, but when it comes to my basic health, I am not that fit. Strength training is helping me to build my stamina and makes me stronger. I lift weights, do squats and deadlifts. Every time I work out with weights, I become stronger and next time, I am able to lift more, which is both satisfying and motivating. Also, even though it’s been just four months, I feel much more confident than before. I know if I ever get into a trouble, I can take care of myself.”
‘MY FRIENDS HAVE STARTED CALLING ME THE PUSH-UP QUEEN’
Charu Thukral exercising at a city gym (Pankaj Sharma/BCCL)
Twenty-six-year-old Charu Thukral, an interior architect, says that she decided to opt for resistance training because she wanted to improve her endurance so that she could perform well at marathons.“I have never looked at the numbers on the scale. Instead I focus on being strong. Women have often been discouraged from overdoing their workouts because it might make them look bulky and ‘unladylike’. But it is nothing but a myth. I have been into strength training for quite a while now and my friends have started calling me the push-up queen.I like that nickname,”she tells is.“I don’t skip meals.I am a big time foodie.All I do is eat healthy. Also, my goals have started getting bigger now. I want to run ultra-marathons,” adds Charu.
‘MY NEWFOUND STRENGTH OFTEN LEAVES MEN SHOCKED’
Eshita Khatri lifting weights (Pankaj Sharma/BCCL)
Twenty-four-year-old Eshita Khatri, an architect by profession, can easily puts her male counterparts to shame during her training sessions. “My newfound strength often leaves men shocked. Sometimes, I have got way more on the bar than most of the boys at my gym do. All you need is a right trainer and you are good to go!”she says,adding,“I have never equated skinny as healthy. I believe in strength more than just having a skinny body. Now, I feel more energetic.”